Development of language competence through the reception of authentic texts of increasing the-matic and linguistic complexity, focussing on complex German language tools for written and oral business, socio-economic and professional communication, in particular in the field of leisure and tourism. Familiarity with topics related to sustainable tourism, to specific disciplinary areas and actual aspects, referring to the German-speaking countries in the framework of the enlarged EU.
Course materials prepared by the teaching staff and provided during the course change from year to year according to learning needs and actual topics. Topics treated relate to the evolving economic and social situation in the German-speaking countries, with special regard to the economics of tourism.
Learning Objectives
The course aims at developing the students’ language competences and knowledge acquired through prior learning. Authentic texts with an increasing thematic and linguistic complexity are being studied, focusing on the acquisition of a good autonomy in written and oral expression and developing awareness concerning topics related specifically to the conditions of tourism in German speaking countries and of German-speaking tourism in Italy.
Knowledge: selected topics concerning relevant aspects of socio-economic and institutional life in the German speaking countries within a European framework; main features of tourism implementation, professional conditions in this field and topics and experiences concerning a sustainable approach to tourism
Competences to be reached: good language competence in writing and speaking; comprehension and use of complex language tools; increasing autonomy in written and oral communication and in professional interaction
Prerequisites
Acquired knowledge and competence equivalent to level B 2 of the European framework for languages; specifically: good mastery of grammatical structures of German and written and oral comprehension skills referred to authentic text with general content; familiarity with the special vocabulary of economics and social sciences in view of interaction and communication in specialized contexts.
Teaching Methods
The course is organized over the two semesters of the academic year, with one final examination.
The learning approach is based on a number of integrated activities including, in variable rates, class-room teaching, seminars, group work, exercises, thematic debates, tutoring, etc., approximately distribu¬ted as follows:
Teaching activities (72 hours approximately):
Classroom teaching: 40 hours
Language laboratory: 12 hours
Seminars and Exam Training: 20 hours
Individual learning workload: no less than 2 hours for each classroom hour.
Type of Assessment
One overall examination at the end of the second semester checking the skills of free written and oral expression, consisting of an individual essay in German treating an agreed upon topic and of an oral presentation of the work and discussion about selected topics covered during the course.
Course program
Reading, translation, thematic in-depth analysis and comment of authentic texts related to selected topics referred to socio-economic, political and institutional data and events regarding the German speaking countries, with special attention to the sustainable approach in tourism; acquisition of complex language structures of German; development of written and oral communication skills for professional activity in the field of tourism.